THE_AT BOSS_NN1 HAD_VHD PICKED_VVN A_AT1 HELL_NN1 OF_IO A_AT1 TIME_NNT1 TO_TO GET_VVI CHATTY_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 bead_NN1 of_IO sweat_NN1 rolled_VVD down_RP Michael_NP1 's_GE back_NN1 ._. 
As_CSA Baltimore_NP1 City_NN1 State_NN1 's_GE Attorney_NN1 Tom_NP1 Houlihan_NP1 pelted_VVD him_PPHO1 with_IW a_AT1 rapid-fire_JJ series_NN of_IO pre-trial_JJ questions_NN2 over_II the_AT phone_NN1 ,_, the_AT departure_NN1 time_NNT1 for_IF Michael_NP1 's_GE flight_NN1 to_II Florida_NP1 crept_VVD closer_RRR ._. 
He_PPHS1 needed_VVD an_AT1 exit_NN1 strategy_NN1 ,_, and_CC he_PPHS1 needed_VVD it_PPH1 now_RT ._. 
Travelers_NN2 swarmed_VVD through_II the_AT gate_NN1 area_NN1 while_CS Michael_NP1 struggled_VVD to_TO stay_VVI focused_VVN on_II the_AT call_NN1 despite_II the_AT chaos_NN1 around_II him_PPHO1 ._. 
Tugging_VVG on_II his_APPGE burgundy_JJ silk_NN1 tie_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 released_VVD the_AT top_JJ button_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE shirt_NN1 and_CC watched_VVD a_AT1 line_NN1 form_VVI to_TO board_VVI the_AT flight_NN1 ._. 
"_" And_CC Rachelle_NP1 ?_? "_" 
Tom_NP1 asked_VVD ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 saw_VVD her_APPGE last_MD night_NNT1 ,_, "_" Michael_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" She_PPHS1 's_VBZ antsy_JJ ,_, but_CCB hanging_VVG in_II there_RL ._. "_" 
He_PPHS1 flipped_VVD through_II some_DD other_JJ notes_NN2 on_II his_APPGE laptop_NN1 ,_, hoping_VVG to_TO anticipate_VVI Tom_NP1 's_GE next_MD question_NN1 ._. 
"_" How_RGQ antsy_JJ ?_? "_" 
"_" Well_RR ,_, she_PPHS1 's_VBZ a_AT1 teenager_NN1 stuck_VVN in_II protective_JJ custody_NN1 ._. 
You_PPY 've_VH0 got_VVN daughters_NN2 ,_, so_CS you_PPY can_VM probably_RR imagine_VVI ._. "_" 
An_AT1 exotic_JJ scent_NN1 filled_VVD Michael_NP1 's_GE senses_NN2 ,_, drawing_VVG his_APPGE attention_NN1 away_II21 from_II22 the_AT call_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 glanced_VVD at_II the_AT seat_NN1 next_II21 to_II22 him_PPHO1 where_CS a_AT1 young_JJ woman_NN1 with_IW silky_JJ dark_JJ hair_NN1 and_CC an_AT1 olive-toned_JJ complexion_NN1 watched_VVD with_IW dismay_NN1 as_II a_AT1 gate_NN1 attendant_NN1 slipped_VVD a_AT1 "_" Delayed_JJ "_" sign_NN1 over_II the_AT flight_NN1 number_NN1 ._. 
"_" Michael_NP1 ?_? "_" 
Tom_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
Michael_NP1 tore_VVD his_APPGE eyes_NN2 off_II the_AT woman_NN1 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 'm_VBM sorry_JJ ._. 
What_DDQ did_VDD you_PPY say_VVI ?_? "_" 
"_" I_PPIS1 asked_VVD if_CS there_EX was_VBDZ anything_PN1 else_RR you_PPY needed_VVD from_II me_PPIO1 ._. "_" 
"_" We_PPIS2 should_VM be_VBI set_VVN until_II jury_NN1 selection_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 'll_VM want_VVI your_APPGE input_NN1 then_RT ._. 
George_NP1 prepped_VVD the_AT last_MD of_IO the_AT witnesses_NN2 today_RT ._. 
We_PPIS2 've_VH0 covered_VVN all_DB the_AT bases_NN2 ,_, so_RR try_VV0 not_XX to_TO worry_VVI ._. "_" 
"_" Yeah_UH ,_, right_RR ,_, "_" Tom_NP1 said_VVD with_IW a_AT1 wry_JJ chuckle_NN1 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 'll_VM check_VVI in_II first_MD thing_NN1 on_II Monday_NPD1 ._. "_" 
"_" Enjoy_VV0 the_AT party_NN1 ._. 
Hopefully_RR ,_, it_PPH1 's_VBZ the_AT only_JJ time_NNT1 you_PPY 'll_VM be_VBI engaged_VVN ._. "_" 
Michael_NP1 laughed_VVD ,_, relieved_VVD that_CST Tom_NP1 seemed_VVD satisfied_JJ --_NN1 for_IF now_RT ._. 
"_" That_DD1 's_VBZ the_AT goal_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 appreciate_VV0 the_AT time_NNT1 off_RP ._. 
Have_VH0 a_AT1 good_JJ weekend_NNT1 ._. "_" 
He_PPHS1 ended_VVD the_AT call_NN1 and_CC caught_VVD the_AT tail_NN1 end_NN1 of_IO the_AT gate_NN1 attendant_NN1 's_GE announcement_NN1 ._. 
"_" What_DDQ did_VDD she_PPHS1 say_VVI ?_? "_" he_PPHS1 asked_VVD the_AT woman_NN1 next_II21 to_II22 him_PPHO1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 glanced_VVD over_RP with_IW a_AT1 distressed_JJ expression_NN1 on_II her_APPGE stunning_JJ face_NN1 ._. 
"_" Ninety-minute_JJ delay_NN1 ._. "_" 
A_AT1 jolt_NN1 of_IO desire_NN1 surprised_VVD Michael_NP1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ on_II his_APPGE way_NN1 to_TO visit_VVI his_APPGE fiancee_NN1 and_CC to_TO attend_VVI their_APPGE engagement_NN1 party_NN1 ,_, so_RR what_DDQ was_VBDZ with_IW the_AT unexpected_JJ reaction_NN1 to_II a_AT1 pretty_JJ stranger_NN1 ?_? 
Pretty_JJ was_VBDZ n't_XX the_AT right_JJ word_NN1 ._. 
Strikingly_RR beautiful_JJ was_VBDZ more_RRR like_II it_PPH1 ._. 
Since_CS they_PPHS2 now_RT had_VHD ninety_MC minutes_NNT2 to_TO kill_VVI ,_, he_PPHS1 decided_VVD to_TO indulge_VVI the_AT curiosity_NN1 ._. 
"_" Where_RRQ 're_VBR you_PPY heading_VVG in_II Jax_NP1 ?_? "_" 
"_" Jacksonville_NP1 Beach_NN1 ._. "_" 
He_PPHS1 noticed_VVD her_APPGE eyes_NN2 were_VBDR fixed_VVN on_II the_AT gate_NN1 attendant_NN1 who_PNQS slid_VVD the_AT updated_JJ departure_NN1 time_NNT1 into_II a_AT1 slot_NN1 on_II the_AT board_NN1 ._. 
"_" My_APPGE boyfriend_NN1 's_VBZ working_VVG there_RL for_IF a_AT1 year_NNT1 ._. 
How_RRQ about_II you_PPY ?_? "_" 
She_PPHS1 glanced_VVD over_RP at_II him_PPHO1 with_IW soft_JJ brown_JJ eyes_NN2 that_CST drew_VVD him_PPHO1 right_RR in_RP ._. 
He_PPHS1 could_VM n't_XX remember_VVI the_AT last_MD time_NNT1 anything_PN1 other_II21 than_II22 the_AT upcoming_JJ trial_NN1 had_VHD captured_VVN his_APPGE attention_NN1 so_RG completely_RR ._. 
"_" Amelia_NP1 Island_NNL1 ._. 
My_APPGE fiancee_NN1 lives_VVZ there_RL with_IW her_APPGE parents_NN2 ._. "_" 
"_" So_CS you_PPY 're_VBR doing_VDG the_AT long-distance_JJ thing_NN1 ,_, too_RR ,_, huh_UH ?_? "_" 
"_" Yeah_UH ,_, and_CC it_PPH1 sucks_VVZ ._. 
How_RGQ long_RR have_VH0 you_PPY been_VBN doing_VDG it_PPH1 ?_? "_" 
"_" Almost_RR seven_MC months_NNT2 ,_, "_" she_PPHS1 said_VVD with_IW a_AT1 sigh_NN1 ._. 
"_" Five_MC more_DAR to_TO go_VVI ._. "_" 
"_" Six_MC months_NNT2 down_RP and_CC eight_MC to_TO go_VVI for_IF us_PPIO2 ._. 
We_PPIS2 're_VBR getting_VVG married_VVN in_II April_NPM1 ._. "_" 
"_" Well_RR ,_, at_RR21 least_RR22 we_PPIS2 both_DB2 know_VV0 it_PPH1 wo_VM n't_XX last_VVI forever_RT ._. 
I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX know_VVI how_RRQ people_NN do_VD0 it_PPH1 indefinitely_RR ._. 
That_DD1 would_VM make_VVI me_PPIO1 even_RR crazier_JJR than_CSN I_PPIS1 am_VBM now_RT ._. "_" 
"_" For_IF real_JJ ._. "_" 
"_" What_DDQ do_VD0 you_PPY do_VDI ?_? "_" she_PPHS1 asked_VVD ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 'm_VBM a_AT1 prosecutor_NN1 for_IF the_AT Baltimore_NP1 City_NN1 state_NN1 's_GE attorney_NN1 ._. "_" 
Her_APPGE eyes_NN2 widened_VVD ._. 
"_" Wow_UH ,_, that_DD1 's_VBZ so_RG cool_JJ ._. "_" 
"_" More_RRR like_II overwhelming_JJ --_NN1 especially_RR lately_RR ._. 
What_DDQ about_II you_PPY ?_? "_" 
"_" Nothing_PN1 quite_RG so_RG exciting_JJ ._. 
I_PPIS1 'm_VBM a_AT1 hair_NN1 stylist_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" That_DD1 sounds_VVZ like_II more_RGR fun_JJ than_CSN putting_VVG people_NN in_II jail_NN1 ._. "_" 
Her_APPGE smile_NN1 engaged_VVD her_APPGE entire_JJ face_NN1 ,_, and_CC his_APPGE heart_NN1 skipped_VVD an_AT1 erratic_JJ beat_NN1 ._. 
"_" It_PPH1 is_VBZ until_CS someone_PN1 hates_VVZ their_APPGE haircut_NN1 ,_, but_CCB fortunately_RR that_DD1 does_VDZ n't_XX happen_VVI to_II me_PPIO1 very_RG often_RR ._. "_" 
"_" What_DDQ do_VD0 you_PPY do_VDI when_CS it_PPH1 does_VDZ ?_? "_" 
"_" If_CS they_PPHS2 're_VBR truly_RR upset_VVN ,_, we_PPIS2 offer_VV0 them_PPHO2 a_AT1 freebie_NN1 next_MD time_NNT1 ,_, but_CCB usually_RR they_PPHS2 come_VV0 back_RP telling_VVG us_PPIO2 they_PPHS2 got_VVD all_DB kinds_NN2 of_IO compliments_NN2 on_II their_APPGE new_JJ look_NN1 ._. "_" 
THE_AT NEXT_MD MORNING_NNT1 MICHAEL_NP1 SAT_VVD AT_II HIS_APPGE DESK_NN1 LOST_VVN IN_II thought_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 could_VM n't_XX believe_VVI the_AT way_NN1 he_PPHS1 had_VHD bared_VVN his_APPGE soul_NN1 to_II Juliana_NP1 the_AT night_NNT1 before_RT ._. 
He_PPHS1 did_VDD n't_XX regret_VVI anything_PN1 ,_, though_RR ._. 
Everything_PN1 he_PPHS1 told_VVD her_PPHO1 was_VBDZ true_JJ ._. 
She_PPHS1 had_VHD n't_XX said_VVN a_AT1 word_NN1 to_II him_PPHO1 on_II the_AT way_NN1 home_RL ._. 
Once_CS they_PPHS2 arrived_VVD she_PPHS1 went_VVD straight_RR up_RP to_II her_APPGE room_NN1 and_CC closed_VVD the_AT door_NN1 ._. 
Despite_II her_APPGE silence_NN1 ,_, Michael_NP1 knew_VVD she_PPHS1 had_VHD feelings_NN2 for_IF him_PPHO1 ,_, too_RR ._. 
He_PPHS1 could_VM see_VVI it_PPH1 in_II the_AT way_NN1 she_PPHS1 looked_VVD at_II him_PPHO1 when_CS she_PPHS1 thought_VVD he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ n't_XX paying_VVG attention_NN1 ._. 
That_CST she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ still_RR mired_VVN in_II a_AT1 ten-year_JJ relationship_NN1 gave_VVD him_PPHO1 pause_NN1 ._. 
"_" But_CCB hey_UH ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 said_VVD out_RP loud_RR ,_, "_" she_PPHS1 's_VBZ living_VVG in_II my_APPGE house_NN1 and_CC not_XX even_RR talking_VVG to_II him_PPHO1 ._. "_" 
The_AT thought_NN1 made_VVD Michael_NP1 feel_VVI better_RRR about_II his_APPGE chances_NN2 with_IW her_PPHO1 until_CS he_PPHS1 remembered_VVD how_RGQ wrong_RR he_PPHS1 'd_VHD been_VBN about_II Paige_NP1 ._. 
But_CCB Juliana_NP1 was_VBDZ different_JJ from_II Paige_NP1 in_II every_AT1 possible_JJ way_NN1 ._. 
"_" That_DD1 's_VBZ one_MC1 thing_NN1 I_PPIS1 know_VV0 for_RR21 sure_RR22 ._. "_" 
His_APPGE assistant_NN1 ,_, Angela_NP1 ,_, came_VVD to_II the_AT door_NN1 ._. 
"_" Talking_VVG to_II yourself_PPX1 ,_, Michael_NP1 ?_? "_" 
"_" Huh_UH ?_? "_" 
"_" Your_APPGE mother_NN1 's_VBZ on_II line_NN1 two_MC ._. "_" 
The_AT demands_NN2 from_II the_AT press_NN1 had_VHD gotten_VVN so_RR out_II21 of_II22 hand_NN1 in_II the_AT last_MD few_DA2 days_NNT2 that_CST Angela_NP1 was_VBDZ screening_VVG his_APPGE calls_NN2 ._. 
"_" Thanks_NN2 ._. "_" 
Angela_NP1 left_VVD him_PPHO1 to_TO take_VVI the_AT call_NN1 ._. 
"_" Hi_UH ,_, Mom_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" How_RRQ are_VBR you_PPY ,_, Michael_NP1 ?_? 
They_PPHS2 mentioned_VVD your_APPGE trial_NN1 on_II the_AT Today_RT show_VV0 this_DD1 morning_NNT1 ._. "_" 
"_" We_PPIS2 're_VBR getting_VVG a_AT1 lot_NN1 of_IO attention_NN1 ._. 
Too_RG much_DA1 ._. "_" 
"_" How_RRQ 're_VBR you_PPY holding_VVG up_RP ,_, sweetheart_NN1 ?_? "_" 
"_" Good_JJ ._. 
I_PPIS1 'm_VBM ready_JJ to_TO go_VVI ._. "_" 
"_" You_PPY know_VV0 we_PPIS2 're_VBR all_DB pulling_VVG for_IF you_PPY ._. 
So_RR how_RRQ was_VBDZ the_AT cotillion_NN1 in_II Dixie_NP1 last_MD weekend_NNT1 ?_? "_" 
His_APPGE mother_NN1 had_VHD long_RR ago_RA stopped_VVN pretending_VVG to_TO approve_VVI of_IO the_AT Simpsons_NN2 or_CC their_APPGE lifestyle_NN1 ._. 
"_" It_PPH1 was_VBDZ interesting_JJ ._. 
I_PPIS1 've_VH0 actually_RR been_VBN meaning_VVG to_TO call_VVI you_PPY since_CS I_PPIS1 got_VVD home_RL ._. "_" 
"_" Oh_UH ?_? 
Why_RRQ ?_? "_" 
"_" Well_RR ,_, I_PPIS1 'm_VBM sorry_JJ to_TO report_VVI the_AT engagement_NN1 is_VBZ off_RP ._. "_" 
"_" What_DDQ ?_? 
Are_VBR you_PPY serious_JJ ?_? "_" 
"_" Try_VV0 to_TO contain_VVI your_APPGE euphoria_NN1 ,_, Mother_NN1 ,_, "_" Michael_NP1 said_VVD with_IW a_AT1 dry_JJ chuckle_NN1 ._. 
"_" What_DDQ happened_VVD ?_? "_" 
"_" It_PPH1 's_VBZ a_AT1 long_JJ story_NN1 ._. 
Suffice_VV0 it_PPH1 to_TO say_VVI I_PPIS1 finally_RR saw_VVD the_AT light_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" Hallelujah_UH !_! 
Your_APPGE sisters_NN2 will_VM be_VBI thrilled_VVN to_TO hear_VVI this_DD1 ._. "_" 
"_" I_PPIS1 'm_VBM sure_JJ ._. "_" 
"_" Are_VBR you_PPY all_RR21 right_RR22 ,_, Michael_NP1 ?_? 
I_PPIS1 know_VV0 you_PPY loved_VVD her_PPHO1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 'll_VM never_RR understand_VVI why_RRQ ,_, but_CCB I_PPIS1 'm_VBM sure_JJ you_PPY must_VM be_VBI upset_VVN ._. 
I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX mean_VVI to_TO make_VVI light_NN1 of_IO it_PPH1 ._. "_" 
Michael_NP1 laughed_VVD ._. 
"_" Yes_UH ,_, you_PPY do_VD0 ._. 
I_PPIS1 'm_VBM fine_JJ ._. 
Believe_VV0 me_PPIO1 ,_, by_II the_AT time_NNT1 the_AT whole_JJ thing_NN1 blew_VVD up_RP ,_, I_PPIS1 could_VM hardly_RR remember_VVI what_DDQ it_PPH1 was_VBDZ I_PPIS1 loved_VVN about_II her_PPHO1 ._. "_" 
"_" She_PPHS1 must_VM 've_VHI taken_VVN it_PPH1 well_RR ._. "_" 
Maureen_NP1 's_GE voice_NN1 dripped_VVD with_IW sarcasm_NN1 ._. 
"_" Yeah_UH ,_, not_XX so_RG much_DA1 ._. 
In_II fact_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 'm_VBM quite_RG certain_JJ I_PPIS1 have_VH0 n't_XX seen_VVN the_AT last_MD of_IO her_PPHO1 ._. 
But_CCB right_RR now_RT all_DB I_PPIS1 'm_VBM thinking_VVG about_II is_VBZ the_AT trial_NN1 ._. "_" 
Well_RR ,_, not_XX all_DB ,_, but_CCB he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ n't_XX ready_JJ to_TO tell_VVI his_APPGE mother_NN1 about_II Juliana_NP1 ._. 
Not_XX yet_RR ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 know_VV0 you_PPY 're_VBR busy_JJ ,_, so_CS I_PPIS1 wo_VM n't_XX keep_VVI you_PPY ._. 
I_PPIS1 'm_VBM sorry_JJ if_CS you_PPY 're_VBR hurting_VVG ,_, Michael_NP1 ._. "_" 
"_" I_PPIS1 'm_VBM fine_JJ ._. 
Really_RR ._. "_" 
"_" Keep_VV0 us_PPIO2 posted_VVN on_II the_AT trial_NN1 ._. 
We_PPIS2 'll_VM have_VHI our_APPGE fingers_NN2 crossed_VVN for_IF you_PPY ._. "_" 
"_" Thanks_NN2 ,_, Mom_NN1 ._. 
Give_VV0 my_APPGE love_NN1 to_II everyone_PN1 ._. "_" 
"_" I_PPIS1 will_VM ._. 
You_PPY know_VV0 you_PPY have_VH0 ours_PPGE ._. "_" 
She_PPHS1 ended_VVD the_AT call_NN1 promising_JJ to_TO check_VVI on_II him_PPHO1 in_II a_AT1 week_NNT1 or_CC so_RR ._. 
He_PPHS1 smiled_VVD when_RRQ he_PPHS1 imagined_VVD the_AT news_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE broken_JJ engagement_NN1 burning_VVG up_RP the_AT phone_NN1 lines_NN2 in_II Newport_NP1 's_GE Fifth_MD Ward_NN1 and_CC had_VHD no_RR21 doubt_RR22 he_PPHS1 would_VM hear_VVI from_II his_APPGE sisters_NN2 before_II the_AT day_NNT1 was_VBDZ out_RP ._. 
On_II her_APPGE way_NN1 home_RL from_II her_APPGE mother_NN1 's_VBZ that_DD1 evening_NNT1 ,_, Juliana_NP1 stopped_VVD at_II Collington_NP1 Street_NNL1 where_RRQ she_PPHS1 cleaned_VVD out_RP the_AT fridge_NN1 ,_, took_VVD out_RP the_AT trash_NN1 ,_, and_CC stashed_VVD the_AT mail_NN1 in_II her_APPGE purse_NN1 to_TO deal_VVI with_IW later_JJR ._. 
She_PPHS1 was_VBDZ in_RP and_CC out_II21 of_II22 there_RL in_II ten_MC minutes_NNT2 ._. 
Even_RR after_II the_AT emotional_JJ exchange_NN1 with_IW Michael_NP1 the_AT night_NNT1 before_RT ,_, she_PPHS1 still_RR could_VM n't_XX bear_VVI to_TO be_VBI in_II the_AT house_NN1 she_PPHS1 had_VHD shared_VVN with_IW Jeremy_NP1 ._. 
Michael_NP1 's_GE words_NN2 had_VHD haunted_VVN her_PPHO1 all_DB day_NNT1 as_CSA she_PPHS1 made_VVD polite_JJ small_JJ talk_NN1 with_IW her_APPGE clients_NN2 ._. 
How_RRQ could_VM he_PPHS1 be_VBI falling_VVG for_IF me_PPIO1 ?_? 
It_PPH1 's_VBZ preposterous_JJ ._. 
We_PPIS2 have_VH0 n't_XX even_RR known_VVN each_PPX221 other_PPX222 a_AT1 week_NNT1 !_! 
But_CCB there_EX was_VBDZ something_PN1 ,_, Juliana_NP1 acknowledged_VVD ._. 
She_PPHS1 had_VHD felt_VVN it_PPH1 herself_PPX1 ._. 
More_DAR than_CSN once_RR ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ n't_XX love_NN1 ,_, though_RR ._. 
No_AT way_NN1 ._. 
Things_NN2 like_II that_DD1 happened_VVD in_II the_AT movies_NN2 ,_, not_XX to_II real_JJ people_NN ._. 
At_II times_NNT2 she_PPHS1 wondered_VVD if_CS her_APPGE head_NN1 would_VM just_RR explode_VVI from_II thinking_VVG too_RG much_DA1 ._. 
Ironically_RR ,_, though_CS ,_, she_PPHS1 had_VHD n't_XX had_VHN the_AT urge_NN1 to_TO call_VVI Jeremy_NP1 all_DB day_NNT1 ._. 
Tears_NN2 streamed_VVD down_RP her_APPGE face_NN1 as_CSA she_PPHS1 struggled_VVD to_TO absorb_VVI it_PPH1 all_DB ._. 
He_PPHS1 put_VVD his_APPGE arms_NN2 around_II her_PPHO1 ._. 
"_" If_CS you_PPY had_VHD any_DD doubt_NN1 that_CST I_PPIS1 knew_VVD you_PPY 'd_VM eventually_RR find_VVI your_APPGE way_NN1 back_RP to_II me_PPIO1 ,_, I_PPIS1 hope_VV0 you_PPY do_VD0 n't_XX anymore_RR ._. "_" 
"_" After_II what_DDQ I_PPIS1 did_VDD to_II you_PPY ._. "_" 
She_PPHS1 shook_VVD her_APPGE head_NN1 with_IW disbelief_NN1 ._. 
"_" After_II what_DDQ I_PPIS1 did_VDD ,_, that_CST you_PPY could_VM still_RR love_VVI me_PPIO1 this_DD1 much_RR astounds_VVZ me_PPIO1 ._. "_" 
"_" I_PPIS1 love_VV0 you_PPY this_RG much_DA1 and_CC so_RG much_DA1 more_DAR ._. 
I_PPIS1 have_VH0 since_CS I_PPIS1 first_MD looked_VVD over_RP and_CC found_VVD you_PPY sitting_VVG next_II21 to_II22 me_PPIO1 in_II the_AT airport_NN1 ,_, and_CC I_PPIS1 always_RR will_VM ._. "_" 
With_IW his_APPGE hands_NN2 on_II her_APPGE face_NN1 and_CC his_APPGE thumbs_NN2 skimming_VVG her_APPGE jaw_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 finally_RR kissed_VVD her_PPHO1 the_AT way_NN1 she_PPHS1 had_VHD dreamed_VVN about_II during_II the_AT long_JJ year_NNT1 without_IW him_PPHO1 ._. 
The_AT kiss_NN1 went_VVD on_RP for_IF what_DDQ felt_VVD like_II forever_RT until_CS she_PPHS1 pulled_VVD back_RP to_II gaze_NN1 up_RP at_II him_PPHO1 ._. 
With_IW her_APPGE palm_NN1 resting_VVG on_II his_APPGE face_NN1 ,_, she_PPHS1 kissed_VVD him_PPHO1 again_RT ._. 
"_" Thank_VV0 you_PPY ,_, Michael_NP1 ,_, for_IF all_DB of_IO this_DD1 and_CC for_IF all_DB the_AT faith_NN1 you_PPY 've_VH0 always_RR had_VHN in_II us_PPIO2 ._. 
I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ n't_XX worthy_JJ of_IO it_PPH1 before_RT ,_, but_CCB I_PPIS1 think_VV0 I_PPIS1 might_VM be_VBI now_RT ._. "_" 
"_" You_PPY were_VBDR always_RR worthy_JJ of_IO it_PPH1 ,_, silly_JJ ._. 
You_PPY could_VM 've_VHI saved_VVN me_PPIO1 a_AT1 lot_NN1 of_IO sleepless_JJ nights_NNT2 if_CS you_PPY 'd_VHD skipped_VVN over_II your_APPGE whole_JJ Zen_NP1 phase_NN1 and_CC come_VV0 home_RL to_II me_PPIO1 sooner_RRR ._. "_" 
He_PPHS1 took_VVD her_APPGE hand_NN1 again_RT ._. 
"_" Let_VM21 's_VM22 go_VVI upstairs_RL ._. 
There_EX 's_VBZ more_RRR I_PPIS1 want_VV0 to_TO show_VVI you_PPY ._. "_" 
He_PPHS1 gave_VVD her_PPHO1 a_AT1 tour_NN1 of_IO all_DB the_AT improvements_NN2 he_PPHS1 had_VHD made_VVN to_II the_AT second_MD floor_NN1 since_CS she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ last_NN1 there_RL ,_, including_II a_AT1 new_JJ kitchen_NN1 ,_, remodeled_VVD bathrooms_NN2 ,_, and_CC a_AT1 fresh_JJ coat_NN1 of_IO paint_NN1 in_II every_AT1 room_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 recognized_VVD most_DAT of_IO the_AT furniture_NN1 from_II his_APPGE house_NN1 in_II Maryland_NP1 ,_, including_II his_APPGE big_JJ bed_NN1 ._. 
On_II the_AT bedside_NN1 table_NN1 was_VBDZ another_DD1 copy_NN1 of_IO the_AT photo_NN1 from_II the_AT Bahamas_NP1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 put_VVD his_APPGE arm_NN1 around_II her_PPHO1 and_CC kissed_VVD her_APPGE cheek_NN1 ._. 
"_" You_PPY ever_RR think_VV0 about_II the_AT last_MD night_NNT1 we_PPIS2 spent_VVD in_II that_DD1 bed_NN1 ?_? "_" 
Her_APPGE cheeks_NN2 burned_VVD ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 've_VH0 never_RR forgotten_VVN it_PPH1 ._. "_" 
"_" I_PPIS1 've_VH0 relived_VVN it_PPH1 a_AT1 few_DA2 thousand_NNO times_II myself_PPX1 ._. 
Maybe_RR we_PPIS2 can_VM have_VHI a_AT1 reenactment_NN1 tonight_RT ?_? "_" 
She_PPHS1 snuggled_VVD into_II his_APPGE embrace_NN1 and_CC kissed_VVD him_PPHO1 ._. 
"_" Do_VD0 we_PPIS2 have_VHI to_TO wait_VVI that_CST long_RR ?_? "_" 
"_" No_UH ._. "_" 
He_PPHS1 laughed_VVD against_II her_APPGE lips_NN2 ._. 
"_" We_PPIS2 definitely_RR do_VD0 not_XX have_VHI to_TO wait_VVI that_CST long_RR ._. 
Come_VV0 see_VV0 the_AT third_MD floor_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 've_VH0 done_VDN the_AT most_RRT work_VV0 up_RP there_RL ._. "_" 
She_PPHS1 followed_VVD him_PPHO1 up_II the_AT stairs_NN2 ._. 
"_" Oh_UH ,_, it_PPH1 looks_VVZ wonderful_JJ !_! "_" 
He_PPHS1 had_VHD torn_VVN out_RP the_AT kitchen_NN1 and_CC knocked_VVN down_RP walls_NN2 to_TO make_VVI four_MC more_DAR big_JJ bedrooms_NN2 ._. 
"_" They_PPHS2 'd_VM make_VVI for_IF good_JJ kid_NN1 rooms_NN2 ,_, do_VD0 n't_XX you_PPY think_VVI ?_? "_" 
"_" Maybe_RR when_CS they_PPHS2 're_VBR older_JJR ._. "_" 
Juliana_NP1 ran_VVD her_APPGE hand_NN1 along_II the_AT smooth_JJ wall_NN1 and_CC then_RT turned_VVN to_II him_PPHO1 ._. 
"_" When_CS they_PPHS2 're_VBR babies_NN2 ,_, I_PPIS1 'll_VM want_VVI them_PPHO2 downstairs_RL with_IW us_PPIO2 ._. "_" 
He_PPHS1 blinked_VVD back_RP tears_NN2 and_CC shook_VVD his_APPGE head_NN1 as_CS21 if_CS22 to_TO convince_VVI himself_PPX1 this_DD1 was_VBDZ really_RR happening_VVG ._. 
"_" Yeah_UH ?_? "_" 
"_" Uh_UH huh_UH ._. "_" 
He_PPHS1 took_VVD her_APPGE hand_NN1 and_CC put_VV0 it_PPH1 over_RP his_APPGE heart_NN1 ._. 
"_" Feel_VV0 that_DD1 ?_? 
My_APPGE heart_NN1 has_VHZ n't_XX pounded_VVN like_II that_DD1 in_II more_DAR than_CSN a_AT1 year_NNT1 ._. "_" 
With_IW his_APPGE arm_NN1 around_II her_PPHO1 ,_, he_PPHS1 led_VVD her_PPHO1 over_RP to_II the_AT window_NN1 seat_NN1 and_CC brought_VVD her_PPHO1 down_RP on_II his_APPGE lap_NN1 the_AT way_NN1 he_PPHS1 had_VHD on_II a_AT1 long-ago_JJ autumn_NNT1 night_NNT1 ._. 
"_" Remember_VV0 the_AT last_MD time_NNT1 we_PPIS2 were_VBDR right_RR here_RL ?_? "_" 
She_PPHS1 rested_VVD her_APPGE head_NN1 on_II his_APPGE shoulder_NN1 and_CC nodded_VVD ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 wanted_VVD to_TO be_VBI the_AT first_MD guy_NN1 to_TO propose_VVI ,_, but_CCB I_PPIS1 've_VH0 since_RR learned_VVN that_CST sometimes_RT being_VBG last_NN1 is_VBZ much_RR better_RRR than_CSN being_NN1 first_MD ._. "_" 
Juliana_NP1 chuckled_VVD ._. 
"_" So_RR what_DDQ do_VD0 you_PPY say_VVI ?_? 
Will_VM you_PPY marry_VVI me_PPIO1 ,_, Juliana_NP1 ?_? "_" 
Raising_VVG her_APPGE head_NN1 to_TO meet_VVI his_APPGE blue_JJ eyes_NN2 ,_, she_PPHS1 said_VVD ,_, "_" Yes_UH ,_, I_PPIS1 'll_VM marry_VVI you_PPY ,_, Michael_NP1 Maguire_NP1 ._. "_" 
She_PPHS1 pressed_VVD her_APPGE lips_NN2 to_II his_PPGE ._. 
"_" Yes_UH ,_, yes_UH ,_, yes_UH !_! "_" 
With_IW his_APPGE fingers_NN2 buried_VVN in_II her_APPGE hair_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 kissed_VVD her_APPGE senseless_JJ and_CC then_RT tugged_VVD the_AT chain_NN1 out_RP from_II under_II his_APPGE shirt_NN1 and_CC tie_NN1 ._. 
Her_APPGE heart_NN1 skipped_VVD a_AT1 beat_NN1 when_CS she_PPHS1 saw_VVD that_CST the_AT ring_NN1 was_VBDZ exactly_RR where_CS she_PPHS1 had_VHD left_VVN it_PPH1 ._. 
"_" All_DB this_DD1 time_NNT1 you_PPY 've_VH0 kept_VVN it_PPH1 right_RR there_RL ,_, "_" she_PPHS1 whispered_VVD ,_, amazed_JJ ._. 
